The Vineyard- November 1, 2015

The Vineyard- November 1^st, 2015

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Genesis 47:1-31

Pray for God to speak to you through the reading of His word. 

Read the passage. 

-          The Promise vs. the Pharaoh

o   How much trust do you place in “pharaoh,” those who hold political power in the world?

o   How much trust do you place in the promise?

o   Do we see the source of blessing as being from the world, pharaoh, or from God through the promise?

o   When you think about your goals and life aspirations, what is shaping them?  Is it the world which tells us to strive to be and follow Pharaoh?  Or, is it the God of the promise who sometimes calls us to live through suffering, trusting him?

-          Genesis Leads to Exodus

o   The end of Genesis has Israel growing and being blessed by God in Egypt.  And yet, it is this very growth of the nation which will ultimately lead to the Exodus, as Israel’s purpose and future begins to clash with Egypt. 

o   Has your rebirth as a Christian caused conflict in your life with the world? 

o   Jesus said that the world hated his followers, because they were not of the world.  Could it be said that the world hates you, because you oppose the ways of the world?

o   Jesus also said that his followers were sent into the world.  Do you see yourself as a follower of Christ, sent into the world to live in ways that are contrary to the world?  Does Jesus will shape your life’s purpose?

Ask God for the wisdom and faith to place your hope in the promises of God rather than the ways of the world. 

Pray that God will continue to strengthen your ability to live in a way that is “not of this world.” 

Pray for the courage to go into the world, and fulfill Christ’s mission.